The following statement was released today by the Coalition for Revolution in Nigeria under the signatures of its co-conveners: Baba Aye and Gbenga Komolafe. To resistance and repression, the movement is promoting the #LekkiMassacre.

According to The Guardian: “Protests against police brutality have continued in many Nigerian cities despite a call for calm from the president and curfews enforced by armed security forces. In a statement, Muhammadu Buhari called on Nigerians to be patient as police reforms ‘gather pace’ but failed to mention the attack by Nigerian security forces on hundreds of people gathered at a key protest site on Tuesday night. The shooting may have killed at least 12, Amnesty International said, with dozens more injured. The speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Wednesday said there had been ‘a number of casualties as a result of gunfire.'”

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Coalition for Revolution condemns the army’s massacre of upwards of 20 peaceful protesters at the Lekki tollgate in the most categorical of terms. This was premeditated murder based on a bloodstained script.

First governments across the country send in hoodlums to ferment violence, seeking out ways to smear the legitimacy and goodwill of the #EndSARS movement. Next, they declare a 24-hr curfew. And then, the hounds of these vagabonds in power moved in on the Lekki tollgate where thousands of people had peacefully gathered under the Nigerian flag, to demand an end to police brutality and bad governance.

Like the cowards they are, they first cut off all CCTV camera and streetlights and then moved in shooting live bullets. They had no intention of just dispersing the crowd. They blocked the two main exits and started firing into the crowd of people who were singing the national anthem and waving the Nigerian flag.

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The grounds around the tollgate are still wet with the blood of martyred patriots, felled for standing up for a better country, killed for speaking out the truth.

This is unacceptable. CORE holds the Nigerian government responsible. Every single officer involved in executing these despicable murders and brutalization must be brought to book. CORE salutes the Nigeria Bar Association’s stand to support legal proceedings at all relevant fora against the Nigeria military. We hold that the Lagos state governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu is equally culpable in this premeditated massacre and should be held accountable.

The political aim of the government was to buy itself some respite with repression. But that goal was dead on arrival. Despite continued sporadic shootings by security personnel in different parts of Lagos and other states this morning, angry youths have taken over several areas, burning tyres and raising barricades.

These include the Lekki link bridge, Ikorodu township, and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The Bola Tinubu-owned TV Continental station has also been ransacked by protesters. Our oppressors have sowed the wind of mass suffering and massacre. And now, they start to reap the whirlwind of mass anger.

The regime of Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) has lost all legitimacy and must be forced to abdicate power. The exploited and oppressed Nigerian masses want and deserve an end to bad governance. We will fight for our total liberation. The struggle now unfolding will be turbulent. But united and determined, we will win.

Down with the regime!

Another Nigeria is possible!

Justice for the Lekki Martyrs!

Justice for all victims of police brutality!

The people united can never be defeated!!

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